Cue banjos and riotous applause crowning US President Barack Obama the new king of Brisbane. Or at least king of the hearts of the 1000 or so people invited to hear the most famous politician in the world speak.

US President Barack Obama greets audience members after his speech at the University of Queensland.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

He may not be the most popular man at home - the mid-terms proved that - but in the University of Queensland Centre, the chosen host for the "Brisbane Speech", he could do no wrong.

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His speech writers had him well prepped - there were jokes; "In fact last year, I even tweeted one of your studies to my 31, uh, to my 31 million followers on Twitter. Just bragging a little bit. I don't think that is quite as much as Lady Gaga, but it is still pretty good. It is still not bad," he said with a smile.

Students listen to US President Barack Obama at the University of Queensland.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"This city, this part of Australia, is just stunning," he said. "Beautiful one day, and then perfect the next. That is what I understand."

He fumbled that one a bit, but the crowd didn't mind.

He acknowledged them.

He made an in-joke. And that was all it took to gain 1000 new friends.

US President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Queensland.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"We travel a lot around the world. My staff was very excited for BrisVegas," he said. The crowd indulged him with a laugh.

"When I arrived, they advised I needed some XXXX," that got a thumbs up from the crowd.

Queensland is nothing if not parochial. "Ha, ha. You have some?" he said to a man in the crowd. "Hahahaha."

While he spoke of climate change and the need for Australia, like America, to "step up", for women and gay and lesbian rights to take precedence on the world stage, for health equality, in the wake of the recent Ebola crisis to be a mission for us all, for us to encourage the hope of the youth and let them grab the many opportunities of this generation, only the sound of camera shutters could be heard.

The room was silent, held enthral by a man many had seen but none had seen. And then it was over.

Before he could even finish delivering his blessings, pandemonium broke out.

The crowd surged right. Then forward. Then left. Hands raised and phones aloft.

And through it all, the President maintained his folksy charm. A small chat here, a joke there, a selfie or 100 over there.

One woman, desperate to get closer jumped like a mountain goat over a chair.

Even she seemed surprised to have made it, but she shook off the shock quickly.

After all, Obama was only 30 centimetres away. Others followed suit. Two women managed to leap, jump and dash their way through close enough for the Obama-selfie. They were so excited after, they could barely speak.

And the "power of the man and the message," as former deputy prime minister Wayne Swan put it following the speech, was enough to bring even the most bitter of enemies together, if even for a moment.

Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk and LNP Treasurer Tim Nicholls stood together, a little in awe, both politely struggling to be the first to speak.

Mr Nicholls didn't shake his hand, "I left that to the school kids", but was very impressed with his message about America standing with Australia over MH17.

Ms Palaszcuk was just "inspired" particularly by the focus on "young people's hopes". Assistant minister for the Premier Deb Frecklington, who has been everywhere this G20, got the closest.

"He shook my hand and asked me my name and what I did," she said. "And he said 'that's a very long title. Does it fit on a business card?'."

But it was the students who were most affected. And that, given the President directed the majority of his speech towards them, was the point.

"It was such a honour, it was unbelievable," Lily Treston said.

She and fellow Year 12 Mt St Michael's College students ("we're in the Premier's electorate") described the speech, just under a hour, as an "inspiration".

"You feel as though he is reaching out to just you," Sophia Aston said.

"As if he is just speaking to you specifically. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Griffith University student John Hopper stood at the back once the President had left the building, contemplating.

"It is a lot to take in," he said.

"As the President said, there are a lot of opportunities for us out there. It was inspiring and it has left me with a lot of things to think about over the next few years. It was something I will never forget."

Reid Barry still had stars in his eyes. He'd lost his friends, but was distracted from finding them, as he thought over the speech.

"I thought it was fantastic," he said. Why? He paused.

"I don't know. It was just great."

The room cleared out and photos and selfies were compared. "Ermagawd! One student said. "I just got a selfie with Obama!"

"I can't believe I heard him speak," another said. "Maybe that's even better."